Redwood City California -- The decisions of venture capital and angel investment could be a significant factor in how long the current recession lasts worldwide according to Gary Schlossberg, vice president and senior economist for Wells Fargos, Wells Capital Management.
Speaking today at the Economic Forecast meeting of the Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, Schlossberg ticked off a list of factors that will determine how long and deep the recession will go, including consumer spending, government stimulus packages and mortgage renegotiation. But he also called out the role of private investment in the form of entrepreneurial support as a key factor.
"There's a lot of money available for investment, but the channels are currently choked off." Schlossberg encouraged the businessmen and investors in the 200+-person audience to start the process of getting new businesses off the ground.
Lou Covey, CEO of Footwasher Media and an organizer of the VComm Venture Faire, said after the event, "One of the few established banking entities that is doing well in this economy is giving us a roadmap to recovery and prosperity. This is exactly the reason we chose to launch our event at this time. The financial introspection and reserve of the past two years needs to be put aside. It's time to get back to work."
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
IdaRose Sylvester to provide market analysis
The VComm Venture Faire team today announced that IdaRose Sylvester, former senior industry analyst at IDC, has joined as the objective analyst for presenting companies' market projections. Ms. Sylvester's specialties are High technology strategic marketing, strategic planning, industry analysis, competitive analysis, market research, and prognostication. She consults with a variety of companies in business development, partner marketing, relationship building, entrepreneurial management and leadership.
In explaining her decision to come on board with the event, Sylvester said, "New markets and entrepreneurial efforts are my passions. Connections with my network--in my company, with my clients, with new people who can help shape my view of the world--are always of interest."
Ms. Sylvester has experience in multiple markets including electronics systems and semiconductors, digital connected homes, video delivery technologies and services, green technology and alternative energy, Web 2.0 and social media.
In explaining her decision to come on board with the event, Sylvester said, "New markets and entrepreneurial efforts are my passions. Connections with my network--in my company, with my clients, with new people who can help shape my view of the world--are always of interest."
Ms. Sylvester has experience in multiple markets including electronics systems and semiconductors, digital connected homes, video delivery technologies and services, green technology and alternative energy, Web 2.0 and social media.
Friday, November 7, 2008
VComm Venture Faire venue chosen
The VComm Venture Faire organizers have chosen the Seaport Conference Center in Redwood City, California as the site for the January 21 event. The Center, located in the Port of Redwood City, offers panoramic views of San Francisco Bay, high-speed internet connections, ample free parking and gourmet catering, in a flexible and intimate facility perfectly attuned to the unique concept of the Venture Faire. The conference Center is within 30 minutes of all major Bay Area airports, and probably more importantly, 15 minutes of Sand Hill Road.
EETimes points to opportunities in Europe
Today in EE Times, an article on the Venture Scorecard indicated that the UK offers significant opportunities for investment from the Silicon Valley community.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The field is opening up
The VComm Venture Faire is gaining momentum. More than a dozen companies have already come forward for the evaluation process and it reach far beyond the electronics field. Biotech, green and online entertainment companies in Scotland are vying for the coveted positions. And the vetting process for VCs and investors is now underway. If you're interested in participating, contact us ASAP.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Helping investors with due diligence
Even as investors flee the stock market and credit markets dry up, there is more money available from US investors than ever before, but it's harder for those investors to make the decision to invest.
According to Dow Jones, in the United States alone there are 5,000 start-ups vying for funding from more than $100 billion in venture capital, but every year only a fraction of those available funds are invested for one reason. The VCs just don't have enough information about the companies to make an informed decision, especially in the electronics niches of fabless semiconductors, chip design and optoelectronics. Due diligence for the VCs is even more difficult today as US press and analyst communities are restructuring and eliminating coverage of these arenas, an important source of information for investors.
From late September through early December, venture capitalists travel back and forth in the United States attending investor conferences in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Austin, Boston and New York City. They are looking for the next solid investment but, for the most part, they will come away with a few more business cards and a case of indigestion from the rubber chicken meals. The general take on these conferences rarely varies: We've heard it all before and we still don't believe it.
The Millennium Group is breaking the mould with the ground breaking VComm Venture Fair. An exclusive event designed to put start-up companies in front of key investors in their natural habitat—the Silicon Valley.
According to Dow Jones, in the United States alone there are 5,000 start-ups vying for funding from more than $100 billion in venture capital, but every year only a fraction of those available funds are invested for one reason. The VCs just don't have enough information about the companies to make an informed decision, especially in the electronics niches of fabless semiconductors, chip design and optoelectronics. Due diligence for the VCs is even more difficult today as US press and analyst communities are restructuring and eliminating coverage of these arenas, an important source of information for investors.
From late September through early December, venture capitalists travel back and forth in the United States attending investor conferences in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Austin, Boston and New York City. They are looking for the next solid investment but, for the most part, they will come away with a few more business cards and a case of indigestion from the rubber chicken meals. The general take on these conferences rarely varies: We've heard it all before and we still don't believe it.
The Millennium Group is breaking the mould with the ground breaking VComm Venture Fair. An exclusive event designed to put start-up companies in front of key investors in their natural habitat—the Silicon Valley.
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